Danny Serena to play 900th game for Weston Creek Indians

By David Polkinghorne

President, groundskeeper, foundation player, he's even had the ballpark named after him. Now Danny Serena is playing his 900th game for the Weston Creek Indians - most of which were in first grade.

The 53-year-old will make his firsts comeback on Sunday as the club celebrates the stalwart's milestone against the Belconnen Bandits at Stirling.

Danny Serena will play his 900th game for the Weston Creek Indians on Sunday.Credit:Rohan Thomson

Having migrated from Italy when he was six, Serena started out as a junior at the Woden Rebels, but was part of the breakaway group that formed the Indians 39 years ago.

During that time he made centre field at Stirling his own after the parents of a talented group of youngsters felt their kids weren't getting a crack in first grade, which led to a new club being born.

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"It's a bit humbling, but 900 games, I guess most of which were for the first-grade team - until the last couple of years anyway," Serena said.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a bit of fun and I believe quite a few of my peers and former players might show up just to say congratulations.

"The club took me in and I haven't been able to let it go since. I just love being involved and keep the club ticking along."

While he's dropped down to play fourth grade these days, just five seasons ago he was still playing in the firsts as they ended a 21-year championship drought to win the 2012 title.

He still recalls the smiles on his teammates' faces and was looking forward to seeing a few more on Sunday.

Not surprisingly that championship was a moment that stood out from the 899 games since he went to watch his mate Geoff Watson play baseball as a kid.

Obviously, his friend's team ended up being short and Serena was called in as a ring-in to begin his love affair with the game.

"We'd waited 21 years to win the premiership and in 2012 we finally broke the drought again," he said.

"That was pretty memorable because I was playing with a few guys that'd been together for 10-15 years.

"I distinctly remember the broad smile on four or five of the guys. It was like getting the monkey off backs."

He's facing a tough test in his first-grade recall.

The Bandits boast Canberra Cavalry starting pitcher Louis Cohen - one of the best pitchers in this summer's Australian Baseball League.

Serena wasn't hiding from the task though.

"I'm up for the challenge. I still try to keep in shape. I'm not sure how I'll go. I think I'm going to be facing Louis Cohen, who's been throwing for the Cavs of late," he said.

"I've played at that level before when I was younger so it doesn't faze me. I just hope I don't let the boys down and hopefully I won't embarrass myself.

"It took a while to talk me into it, but ... after a bit of coercing I said, 'Why not'."